Job 1:1

In distant Uz, a man once stood,

Both just and kind, upright and good.

He feared the Lord, turned from the wrong,

His life a quiet, steadfast song.

With wealth and children, richly blessed,

Yet holiness adorned him best.

For in his heart, no pride took place—

Just reverence shaped by truth and grace.

But soon would come the fiercest test,

To prove the faith within his breast.

Still in the storm, his soul would rise—

A beacon bright beneath dark skies.

---------------------------

Berean Standard Bible

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil.

King James Bible

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

-----------------------------------

Job 1:1, in the New International Version, states, “In the land of Uz there was a man named Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.” This opening verse of the Book of Job serves as a foundational introduction to one of the most profound theological and literary works in the Hebrew Bible. It establishes the setting, introduces the protagonist, and sets the stage for the complex exploration of suffering, divine justice, and human faithfulness that unfolds. To fully appreciate this verse, we must examine its historical, cultural, theological, and literary dimensions, as well as its role in framing the narrative’s central questions about the nature of righteousness and God’s relationship with humanity.

The verse begins with “In the land of Uz,” a geographical reference that immediately grounds the story in a specific yet enigmatic setting. Uz is not definitively located in historical records, but biblical and extrabiblical traditions suggest it was likely in the region east or southeast of Canaan, possibly near Edom or Arabia. The ambiguity of Uz’s location contributes to the universal quality of the story, distancing it from the specific covenantal context of Israel and suggesting a broader human applicability. Unlike many biblical narratives tied to the history of God’s chosen people, Job’s story is set outside Israel, and Job himself is not identified as an Israelite. This non-Israelite setting underscores the book’s exploration of universal themes—suffering, righteousness, and divine providence—that transcend cultural or national boundaries. The mention of Uz also evokes a semi-mythical quality, placing Job in a world that feels both historical and timeless, aligning with the book’s poetic and philosophical tone.

The introduction of Job as “a man named Job” is deceptively simple but significant. The name Job (Hebrew: Iyyob) may derive from a root meaning “to be hostile to” or “to suffer,” though some scholars suggest it could relate to an Arabic term for “repentant one.” Regardless of etymology, the name carries no explicit theological weight in the text, serving instead as a marker of individuality. Job is not a type or archetype but a specific person, grounding the narrative in the concrete reality of one man’s experience. This individuality is crucial, as the book will wrestle with the personal, visceral nature of suffering rather than abstract theorizing.

The description of Job as “blameless and upright” is central to understanding his character and the theological stakes of the narrative. The Hebrew term for “blameless” (tam) implies wholeness, integrity, or moral completeness, while “upright” (yashar) suggests straightforwardness or righteousness in conduct. These terms do not denote sinless perfection but rather a life of consistent moral integrity. Job’s character is further defined by the phrase “he feared God and shunned evil,” which encapsulates his piety and ethical stance. “Fearing God” in the Hebrew Bible often denotes reverence, trust, and obedience toward God, a hallmark of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). “Shunning evil” (sar me-ra) indicates an active rejection of wrongdoing, emphasizing Job’s deliberate moral choices. Together, these descriptors paint Job as an exemplar of righteousness, setting up the central question of the book: Why does a righteous person suffer? This characterization also challenges the reader to consider whether righteousness guarantees divine favor, a notion the book will rigorously interrogate.

Theologically, Job 1:1 introduces a tension that permeates the entire book: the relationship between human righteousness and divine justice. In the ancient Near Eastern worldview, including Israel’s, prosperity was often seen as a sign of divine blessing, while suffering could indicate divine disfavor (Deuteronomy 28). Job’s impeccable character, established in this verse, complicates this paradigm. By presenting Job as blameless and upright, the text preemptively counters any assumption that his forthcoming suffering is punishment for sin. This sets the stage for the heavenly wager in Job 1:6-12, where Satan questions whether Job’s piety is merely self-interested, dependent on God’s blessings. The verse thus lays the groundwork for a profound theological exploration of disinterested righteousness—whether one can worship God for God’s sake alone, not for material rewards.

Literarily, Job 1:1 functions as a narrative hook, drawing readers into the story with its concise yet evocative portrait of Job. The verse’s simplicity belies its depth, offering a character sketch that invites curiosity about how such a righteous man will navigate the trials to come. The Book of Job blends prose and poetry, and this opening verse belongs to the prose framework (Job 1-2, 42:7-17) that bookends the poetic dialogues. The prose style here is straightforward, almost folktale-like, which contrasts with the complex poetry of the dialogues, creating a deliberate tension between the simplicity of the setup and the profundity of the questions raised. The verse also establishes a narrative pattern common in ancient literature: the introduction of a virtuous hero whose fortunes will be tested, a motif seen in stories like the Epic of Gilgamesh or the trials of Odysseus.

Culturally, Job’s description as blameless and upright reflects ideals of righteousness in the ancient Near East, where moral integrity and piety were valued across cultures. However, the emphasis on “fearing God” aligns Job with the biblical wisdom tradition, which prioritizes reverence for God as the foundation of a virtuous life (Psalm 111:10). His status as a non-Israelite is significant, suggesting that righteousness and relationship with God are not exclusive to Israel but accessible to all who fear God. This universalism is reinforced by the absence of covenantal language or references to the Mosaic law, making Job a figure who embodies a pre- or trans-covenantal piety. His wealth and prominence, detailed in the verses that follow (Job 1:2-3), further align him with the archetype of the wise, prosperous patriarch, akin to figures like Abraham or Jacob, yet his non-Israelite identity broadens the scope of God’s engagement with humanity.

In the broader canonical context, Job 1:1 resonates with other biblical portrayals of righteous sufferers, such as Joseph (Genesis 37-50) or the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53). Job’s blamelessness foreshadows the New Testament’s emphasis on righteousness through faith, though Job’s story lacks the explicit redemptive framework of the gospel. His fear of God and shunning of evil also connect to the wisdom literature’s concern with living rightly in a complex world (e.g., Proverbs, Ecclesiastes). The verse implicitly raises questions about theodicy—how a just God governs a world where the righteous suffer—a theme that reverberates through the Psalms and finds its ultimate New Testament expression in the cross of Christ, where innocent suffering becomes redemptive (1 Peter 3:18).

In conclusion, Job 1:1 is a masterfully crafted opening that sets the stage for the Book of Job’s profound exploration of suffering, righteousness, and divine mystery. By introducing Job as a blameless, upright man who fears God and shuns evil, the verse establishes a moral and theological baseline that will be tested through unimaginable loss. Its setting in the ambiguous land of Uz and its portrayal of a non-Israelite protagonist universalize the story, inviting readers across cultures and eras to grapple with its questions. Literarily, it draws readers into a narrative that blends simplicity with complexity, while theologically, it challenges assumptions about the relationship between righteousness and blessing. As the foundation of the book, Job 1:1 invites us to journey with Job through suffering and doubt, toward a deeper, if not fully resolved, encounter with the divine.

-------------------------------------

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who reigns forever as our Redeemer and King. I greet you, dear brothers and sisters, scattered among the congregations of the faithful, united by the Spirit and the truth of the Holy Scriptures. I write to you today, not as one who claims authority over your souls, but as a fellow servant of the gospel, compelled by love to stir your hearts toward the wisdom of God revealed in His Word.

Let us turn our eyes to the ancient testimony of Job, a man of whom it is written in the first verse of his book: “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1). Consider, beloved, the weight of these words, for they are not spoken lightly, nor are they the invention of human praise. This is the testimony of the Spirit of God, who searches the hearts of men and declares what is true.

To you who cherish the doctrine of grace, I say: behold in Job a mirror of righteousness, not born of his own merit, but of faith in the living God. For though we know that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and that our justification comes through faith alone in Christ alone, yet here stands Job, called blameless and upright. Does this contradict the gospel we proclaim? By no means! For Job’s righteousness was not a perfection of his own making, but a gift of God’s sustaining grace, a foreshadowing of the righteousness that comes through trust in Him who is faithful.

You who wrestle with the trials of this life—whether sickness, loss, or the accusations of the adversary—look to Job, this man of Uz. He feared God, not with a slavish dread, but with a reverent awe that shaped his every step. He turned away from evil, not merely in outward deeds, but in the inward disposition of his soul. Herein lies a call to us all: to walk in the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), and to shun the paths of wickedness, trusting that God’s Spirit empowers us to live as those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

I urge you, dear ones, as you gather in your assemblies—whether in great cathedrals or humble homes—to ponder this truth: Job’s life was not preserved from suffering, though he was blameless. The storms came, and the tempests raged, yet his hope remained anchored in the God who sees. So too, you are not promised an escape from affliction in this fallen world, but you are promised the presence of Him who has overcome it (John 16:33). Let Job be to you an encouragement, a brother across the ages, who teaches us that righteousness is not a shield from trials, but a foundation for enduring them.

Now, some among you may ask, “How then shall we live, if even the upright face such woes?” To this I say: fix your eyes on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), who endured the cross for your sake. Job knew not the fullness of the revelation we now hold, yet he trusted in the God who would one day redeem him (Job 19:25). How much more, then, ought we, who have seen the empty tomb, to walk in holiness and hope?

Therefore, beloved, examine your hearts. Are you known as those who fear God and turn from evil? Not by your own strength, for apart from Christ we can do nothing (John 15:5), but by the power of His Spirit who dwells within you. Let your lives be a testimony, as Job’s was, that the world may see and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

I commend you to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. May you stand firm in the faith, abounding in love for one another, until the day when we shall see Him face to face. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, now and forevermore. Amen.

----------------------------

O Eternal and Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, whose wisdom stretches beyond the stars and whose mercy envelops the hearts of all who seek You, we come before Your throne with humble reverence and fervent hope. You are the One who knows every soul, who sees the hidden places of our lives, and who calls us to walk in integrity and truth, as You beheld that ancient servant in the land of Uz, a man blameless and upright, steadfast in devotion and resolute in turning from evil. We lift our voices in unity, a multitude gathered in spirit, seeking Your divine presence to guide, strengthen, and renew us in this sacred moment.

Father of all grace, we stand in awe of Your holiness, marveling at Your boundless love that shapes the lives of those who fear You with holy awe and strive to live rightly before Your eyes. As You looked upon that faithful one of old, whose heart was anchored in righteousness, we beseech You to look upon us now, Your children from every corner of the earth, from every tribe and tongue, united in our longing to reflect Your glory. Mold us, O Lord, into vessels of honor, men and women who walk blamelessly not by our own strength but through the power of Your Spirit, who choose uprightness in a world that often bends toward darkness, and who turn away from evil with resolute hearts, trusting in Your unfailing guidance.

We pray for those among us who are weary, whose steps falter under the weight of trials, whose faith trembles in the face of adversity. As You sustained that ancient soul through the storms that would come, so uphold Your people today. Grant them courage to stand firm, wisdom to discern Your path, and peace that surpasses understanding. For those who prosper, keep their hearts humble, that their abundance may be a blessing to others, a testimony to Your generosity. For those in want, provide their daily bread, and let them see Your hand at work, restoring their hope and filling their spirits with gratitude.

O God of all nations, we intercede for a world that groans under the burden of strife, division, and injustice. Raise up among us those who, like Your servant of old, will fear You above all else, who will pursue righteousness with unwavering commitment, and who will stand as beacons of Your truth in places of darkness. Empower Your church to be a light that shines brightly, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden, proclaiming Your love and justice to a world in need. Heal the broken, bind up the wounded, and draw the lost into the embrace of Your eternal kingdom.

Spirit of the Living God, breathe upon us now. Ignite within us a passion for Your name, a zeal for Your righteousness, and a love that mirrors Your own. Teach us to walk humbly, to act justly, and to love mercy, that our lives may be a living sacrifice, pleasing in Your sight. As You looked upon that man of Uz and saw his faithfulness, look upon us, O Lord, and find hearts that yearn to honor You. Where we have faltered, forgive us; where we have strayed, restore us; where we are weak, be our strength.

We lift this prayer to You, O God, in the unity of Your Spirit, with faith that You hear, with trust that You act, and with hope that Your kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven. To You, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, be all glory, honor, and praise, now and forevermore. Amen.